Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure is fully capable of supporting real-time electronic transmission of election results, major telecom operators have confirmed, countering claims of inadequate network coverage amid ongoing debates over the Electoral Act 2026.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated that 93 per cent of polling units nationwide enjoy mobile network coverage, based on a joint technical assessment conducted with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and leading operators ahead of the 2019 elections.
In recent statements to journalists, operators including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and others, represented through the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), affirmed that the country's telecom networks can reliably handle the electronic upload of polling unit results to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) and collation centres in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo emphasized that even 2G networks, which cover remaining areas, are sufficient for transmitting election data. He noted current coverage statistics: over 70 per cent of the country on 3G and 4G, about 11 per cent on 5G, with the rest on 2G. Adebayo urged reliance on verified NCC data rather than unsubstantiated claims about infrastructure limitations.
The confirmation aligns with INEC's longstanding Position Paper No. 1/2021 on Electronic Transmission of Election Results, signed by former Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on September 9, 2021. The paper, resurfacing amid fresh controversy following President Bola Tinubu's signing of the Electoral Act 2026 amendments, states that INEC had "developed adequate structures and processes to successfully transmit election results electronically" and that "the technology and national infrastructure to support this are adequate."
INEC highlighted the work of the INEC/NCC Joint Technical Committee on Electronic Transmission of Election Results, co-chaired by NCC’s Commissioner for Technical Services Ubale Maska and INEC National Electoral Commissioner Dr. Mustapha Lecky. The committee's report, submitted on August 8, 2018, concluded that mobile networks adequately covered 93 per cent of polling units, with capacity to extend to the remaining 7 per cent. It assigned specific operators (Airtel, Glo, 9Mobile, and MTN) to handle transmissions and recommended secure configurations such as Access Point Name and Virtual Private Network integration.
Despite this technical readiness, INEC did not fully deploy electronic transmission in 2019 due to the absence of clear legal authorization in the then-existing Electoral Act. The commission described electronic transmission as "desirable and doable," distinguishing it from electronic voting or internet voting, which it is not pursuing. It stressed benefits including faster result management, reduced delays that breed suspicion, and fewer opportunities for manipulation during physical transport of result sheets.
INEC also debunked misconceptions, clarifying that the Smart Card Reader is unrelated to result transmission and that 2G networks can support the process, as confirmed by operators and the NCC in 2018. The commission rejected proposals for NCC certification of its procedures, citing constitutional independence under Section 160, and called for a legal framework that enables rather than restricts electronic transmission without mandating specific technologies.
The renewed focus on these findings comes as public discourse intensifies over Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates electronic transmission to IReV but permits fallback to manual Form EC8A in cases of network failure. Critics argue this creates loopholes for manipulation, while supporters, including some lawmakers and the presidency, cite practical concerns over connectivity in remote areas and the need to avoid technical glitches.
President Tinubu signed the amended Act swiftly after its passage, defending the balanced approach as realistic for Nigeria's context. Telecom operators' assurances and INEC's historical assessments have bolstered arguments for prioritizing electronic methods to enhance transparency and trust in the electoral process ahead of 2027.
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